THE FRIENDS of Otley Lido is asking residents to share their memories about Otley’s outdoor swimming pool.

The campaign group, which is trying to raise enough money to push forward its plans to open a new state-of-the-art lido in town, is set to feature in a new Radio 4 programme.

The show, focusing on the theme of community, will explore the history of the lido - which closed in 1993 - along with the proposals to create a new facility.

Friends of Otley Lido Chair Leonie Sharp said: “This is such a huge opportunity for us as all of our fundraising events this year have had to be paused due to the pandemic, so this is a wonderful opportunity to get our story out there nationally and internationally.

“Our committee can do the visioning and set out our plans but we need folk from the community to share their memories and histories.

“We can only imagine the past so a radio documentary is a fantastic way to save their memories in their own words forever.

“Please get in touch.”

The group secured an exclusivity agreement with Leeds City Council, which owns the riverside site in Wharfemeadows Park where it hopes to develop the new lido, in 2016.

Since then it has been busy - buoyed by support from Otley Town Council, Leeds City Council officers and MP Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) - building up a business plan and identifying how to raise the necessary funds.

Giving more details about the appeal for historical details on its Facebook page, the Friends of Otley Lido said: “The programme will be about the history and the future of Otley Lido. We can do the future because that is our focus, but we need volunteers to come forward with the history - your stories and memories.

“So many of you have shared your memories with us online and in person. Now we need to capture these for the program.

“Please come forward to share your stories, your recollections, your memories of the lido. Please get in touch as soon as possible and speak to your friends and family who might not be online.

“We want stories from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s - through until our Lido sadly closed in 1993.

“You might have an elderly person who would love to share their memories of meeting friends and having fun at the lido or you might have your own memories to share?

“This is such a huge opportunity for us to raise our profile nationally and internationally and in turn our potential to raise the much needed remaining funds we need by reaching potential donors.”

To contact the Friends send an e-mail to friendsofotleylido@gmail.com; send a direct message via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram; or call 07765 284078.